Impact of chronic constipation symptoms on work productivity and daily activity: A large-scale internet survey

Abstract

Background and aim: Chronic constipation negatively impacts work productivity and patients' quality of life. This retrospective study assessed the correlation between symptoms of chronic constipation and work/activity impairment with and without the use of laxative treatment.

Methods: This cross-sectional, observational, web-based survey was conducted using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Chronic Constipation Questionnaire and included Japanese patients with chronic constipation receiving prescribed medication. Outcomes of interest included total work productivity and activity impairment and their correlation with constipation symptoms.

Results: Among the 2351 analyzed patients (mean [SD] age, 51.7 [13.8] years), 80.7% were females, 63.3% had a disease duration of ≥10 years, and 1424 were working. The averages of total activity impairment, total work productivity impairment, presenteeism, and absenteeism were 39.2%, 33.9%, 31.2%, and 5.0%, respectively. The annual work productivity loss per patient was estimated to be 1.343 million Japanese Yen. Symptoms that had a statistically significant positive correlation with total work impairment (P < 0.05) were abdominal discomfort/nausea, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and unpredictable defecation timing. Total activity impairment was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by abdominal discomfort/nausea, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, incomplete defecation, unpredictable defecation timing, loss of defecation desire, and straining. Work productivity and daily activity had improved in 71.2% and 72.6% of patients, respectively, after they received treatment.

Conclusion: Symptoms of constipation, particularly abdominal symptoms and unpredictable defecation timing, can have a negative impact on work productivity and daily activity. Treatment focused on these symptoms may reduce the socio-economic burden of chronic constipation in Japan.

Keywords: WPAI‐CC; activity impairment; chronic constipation; daily activity; work productivity.